Device for indicating the level and temperature of liquid in radiators of motor vehicles



"snm 16, 1930.

w. s. THIMBLETHQRRE 1.776,17()` DEVICE FOR IHDICATING THE LEVEL ANDI'THE TEHPERATURE OF LIQUID IN RADITORS OF HOTQR'VEHICLES Filed NOV. 19, 1929 Waffe@ www 2.9 702%; m/ *L 12,

Patented Sept. 16, 1930 UNITED srarss orrics WILFRED SYLVESTER THIMBLETHORPE, F LONDON, ENGLAND DEVICE ron INDICATING THE LEVEL Aun TEivrrEnATUEE.or1 matin in or ivroToa vEnrcLEs RADIATORS Application eld November 19, 1929, Serial 110,408,378, and in Great Britain December 13, 1928.

Thisvinvention relates to a device applicable to the radiator of a motor. vehicle for the purpose of visibly indicating both the level and the temperature of the water. or

- other liquid in the radiator.

" yAccording to the invention the level and temperature indicating means are arranged on the opposite sides of a fitting adapted to form part of or to replace the usual radiator cap, the fitting also comprising,

electric lamps so arranged that the device serves the purpose ot a safety device shewing a red light on thenear side and a green light on the ot'fside, for example. The indicators may also be arranged to cut out the electrical ignition of the car engine inl case the water in the yradiator runs dangerously low or becomes dangerously heated. y

To enable the invention to be 'fully understood it will now be described by reference i to the accompanying drawings in which 1 Fig. l is an elevation of a device constructed according to one form ot the` invention arranged on'the radiator of a motor vehicle, as seen from the drivers seat, and

' Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation thereof..

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view shewing a' form of temperature sensitive device which may be used.

As shewn the device comprises a central hollow boss t having a depending tubular portion 5 and two tubular arms 6, 7, extending at right angles thereto and carrying at their free ends preferably cylindrical casings 8, 9 for containing and exhibiting the temperature and level indicating means respectively. The device is adapted to take the place of the radiator cap and to be secured over the filling opening with the depending tube 5 extending into the water space within the radiator. Holes 5a are provided at the bottom of the tube 5. The usual radiator cap 10 (Fig. 1) may have a hole drilled and tapped therein and the tube 5 may be externally screw threaded to enable it to be screwed into the hole, a lock nut 11 being fitted for securing it to the cap. Or the radiator cap may be removed and the device screwed into the illing opening of the radiator. Inside the tube 5 a float 12 is arranged, carried on a light wire rod 13, which is guided at the top and `bottom of the tube as shewn while at its upper end therod isbent and passes out through an opening 14 in the side of the tube within the boss and is connected t0 a rod 15 mounted in the, tubular arm 7 which operates an indicating pointer 16 riding over a suitable scale 17 arranged within the casing 9. The casing is fitted with a window 18 through which thel scale and pointer are visible, the arrangement being such that when the device is in position on the radiator the scale is visible tothe driver or occupantV ot the car or the like. The casing may also contain an electric lamp for illuminating the scale at` night (not shewn) and the end of the casing may be iitted with a lens 19 ot suitable colour sovthat at night the device provides a side light for safety purposes. The indicating pointer 16 is carried ona balancedarm 20 which is attached to the operating rod 15 and at right angles thereto. rThe ioat rod 13 and the pointer operating rod 15 are preferably ot thin steel rod about 1/2 millimeter diameter or or 20 gauge steel wire and the rod 15 is rotatably supported in suitable bearings or bushings in the tubular arm. The free ends of the two rods 13, 15 may be connected together as .shewn or in any suitable manner so that the movements ot the iioat 12 cause the requisite movements of the pointer 16. y

The temperature indicator is arranged in the casing 8 on the other tubular arm 6 and comprises a suitable scale 21 and balanced pointer 22 connected by a rod 15 similar' to that of the water level indicator. The tree end of the rod 15 is connected to a temperature sensitive device arranged within the base of the boss 4t and outside the tube 5, that is to say, it is outside the radiator cap proper and is only inluenced by radiation from the tube and by the atmosphere. rEhe temperatureV sensitive device (Figs. 2 and 8) is shewnas comprising a strip of steel 23 and a strip of brass 24 superposed and secured together by clips 25 and bent into the torni oi' a spring washer or spiral, one end 26 being anchored and the tree end 27 attached to the operating f icc ' other suitable temperature sensitive device may be used. The casing 8 is further itted with a window 18, a lens 19 and if desired with a lamp and the scale is visible to the driver, a-ll as in the case of the water level indicator.

The top of the boss is in the form of a hinged cap 29 which can be released and opened when it is desired to ll the radiator, the depending tube 5 extending right up to the top of the boss beneath the cap and acting as a. filling tube. This tube 5 may be formed in several sections, connected by screw threads as shewn to enable its length to be adjusted or it may be a telescopic tube of suitable construction. The cap 29 may be made as shewn with a detachable dome top 30 held in place by a screw and nut 31. lVhen the dome is removed a iiat top is left on which the usual mascot, badge, signal lamp or the like may be screwed without disturbing the other portions of the device.

It will be understood that when electric lamps are used within the casings 8, 9, they are suitably wired into the electric lighting system of the vehicle and may be controlled by a switch on the dashboard. The lens 19 in each casing may be secured by a screwed ring 32 so that it may be removed and access obtained to the interior of the casing. rlhe scales 17 within the casings 8, 9 are preferably translucent and may bear any desired markings. The scales may be changed as desired by removing` the lens. It the device is not required for use as a safety signal, the ends of the casings 8, 9 may be closed by detachable caps for example and the lenses omitted.

Further one or both indicating pointers 16, 22, may be wired electrically in series with the ignition of the engine of the car and suitable contacts arranged so that the ignition can be cut automatically if the water level falls to danger point or the temperature rises to a. dangerous degree.

Instead of the `iioat arrangement illustrated, the float may be in the form of a ball or the like connected to tlierod l5 by a light chain or like flexible connection the arm 2O being suitably weighted it necessary, the depending tube 5 being considerably shortened if desired. rlhis arrangement may be used in cases where the radiator overflow pipes for example would obstruct the passage of a long depending tube and rigidly connected float. The flexibly suspended ball can easily pass suoli obstructions as will be readily understood.

vHaving thus described the nature of my said invention and the best means I know of carrying the same into practical effect, I claim p 1. A device tor indicating the liquid level and the temperature of the liquid in the radiator of a motor vehicle comprising in combination, a central hollow boss, a depending tube attached to said boss adapted to extend into the liquid space within the radiator, two tubular arms attached to the boss and extending at right angles to the depending tube, casings arranged one 4on each free end of the tubular arms, a float in the depending tube, a pivoted level indicating pointer in one of the casings, an operative'connect-ion between the ioat and the pointer, a level indicating scale in the said casing, cooperating with the pointer and temperature indicating means arranged in the other casing. A

2. A device for indicating the liquid level and the temperature of the liquid in the radiator of a motor vehicle comprising in combination, a central hollow boss, a depending tube attached to said boss adapted to extend into the liquid space within the radiator, two tubular arms attached to the boss andextending at right angles to the depending tube, casings arranged one lon each free end of the tubular arms, a vtemperaturel sensitive device arranged within the base of the boss and outside the depending tube,a pivoted'y temperature indicating pointer in one of the casings, an operative connection between the pointer and the temperature sensitive device, a temperature scale in said casing cooperating with the pointer and liquid level indicating means arranged within the Vother cas-f ing.

3. A device for indicating the liquid level and the temperature of the liquid in the radi-` 100 ator of a motor vehicle' comprising in combination a central hollow boss,a` depending tube attached to said boss and extending into the liquid space within the radiatorand having an opening in the lower end thereof,*two 105 tubular arms attached to the boss and yextending at right angles to the depending tube, casings arranged one on each free end ofthe tubular arms, temperature sensitive device arranged within the base of the boss and 110 outside thel depending tube, and exposed to and actuated by changes of temperature in said tube, a pivoted temperature indicating pointer in one of the casings operatively con! nected to the temperature sensitive device, a 115 temperature scale in said casing cooperatingwith the pointer, a float in the depending tube, a pivoted level indicating pointer inA the other casing, operatively connected to the float, and a level indicating scale in the'saidy 120 other casing cooperating With the said pointer. ,o

In testimony whereof I have signed my .name to this specification.

VWILFRED SYLVESTER THIMBLETHORPE. 

